At the outset of this episode we return to the tattooist parlour to see the three names of the episode title being inked. These three options are presented by Scofield to his fellow escapees but without the audience being party as to what exactly these three names refer. What follows is one of the most inventive and well-crafted episodes of the series, written by future executive producer of the show, Zack Estrin. This episode not only places the whole escape plan at risk of failure, but also demonstrates how pervasive and extensive are the vested interests acting against Burrows and Scofield.
At the end of the previous episode, the audience were made aware of plans to have Scofield transferred out of Fox River, and at the start of this one it is made clear that these have been blocked by the prison warden. As Henry Pope declares to our villainous FBI agent: 'Look Mr Kellerman, do I come into your house and tell you where to put your furniture?' As Stacey Keach revealed in interview, he based his characterisation of Pope on the real-life warden of the British prison to which he was sentenced to serve nine months for smuggling cocaine in 1984, attesting to how much influence the latter had upon him at a time when his whole career on screen appeared to be in tatters. Pope shows the FBI agents he is not prepared to be bulldozered into transferring any of his prisoners, at the simple behest of the federal authorities, especially when running a state corrective facility. He has a sense of personal responsibility to ensure that from the moment they enter the walls of his instruction, he is answerable for his inmates' welfare.
Ominously, Kellerman responds: 'In our line of work, we've discovered that just about everyone has done something that someone doesn't know about.' The audience have already been made aware of Pope's illicit affair in Toledo, so when he is handed a file bearing that city's name, it appears that the agents' attempts for any leverage will receive short shrift. Yet, the Warden is visibly taken aback and shaken by a crime photo of a deceased young male. Witnessing this reaction, Kellerman adds: 'You're a smart man, Warden, I'm sure if you look hard enough I'm sure you'll find a reason why Michael Schofield's presence is no longer required at this correctional facility.' It later transpires this file concerns his illegitimate son from his affair in Toledo, and the photos constitute tragic evidence of the latter's death at the hands of his drug addiction. As Pope tearfully confesses to the prison chaplain, in burying the secret of his son's existence from his wife, he ruled out any opportunity of burying his son.
Pope's presence in his cell after work detail is the first inkling Scofield has that he is to be transferred. In his desperation to remain he reveals his true relationship to Burrows and informs the Warden that his being sent to Fox River was based on his request to be near his brother on death row. As for Lincoln, news of the transfer is a devastating blow. Crestfallen Lincoln responds to Michael's continued optimism about the break with 'You know I'd made my peace with what was coming, and you show up and give me the one thing a man in my situation shouldn't have - hope.' It is at this point that one of the weakest aspects of the episode concerning the 'flashback' scene to the brother's childhood, specifically to the day of their mother's funeral. The positive message of having a little faith whereby the brothers bond could have come through simple dialogue and been far less clumsy.
This episode also has other intriguing strands, most notably that of the continuing investigation by Veronica into the murder which for Burrows has been sentenced to death. With Nick Savarinn onboard, developments come thick and fast. The latter questions the logicality of what appears on the security camera evidence which sealed Lincoln's fate. Though conjecture at this point, he stresses that Lincoln appears to flee, only to unaccountably return to stretch across the victim's body to get to the glove-compartment, thereby providing the forensic evidence later found in Lincoln's flat. The tape is taken to an expert who is also of the opinion that this is doctored as there are no reverberations of the gunshot around the garage. Unwilling to testify unless a copy of the original video is obtained, the resulting search leads to the ominous discovery that a burst pipe has flooded the room housing the evidence. Then, upon returning home to her apartment, Veronica discovers there has been a break-in, and more sinisterly, amidst nothing else having been touched, the sole missing item is her copy of the tape from a hiding place, the location of which was only known to Nick.
Another strand provides grater insight into Dr Sara Tancredi, who openly reveals her opposition to the death-penalty her governor father supports. As she tells Lincoln while examining him: 'letting the state know that you're healthy enough to execute is not why I went to medical school.' Now aware of Scofield's reasons for being at Fox River, she tries to mine Burrows for greater insight into Michaels' psyche, and he responds by letting her know how his brother has been abandoned by everyone dear to him. As he relates this, there is a very clever fade to Pope looking through old photographs sent to him of the son he himself turned his back on.
The answer to Schofield's problem is provided by Charles Westmoreland, who instructs him to file a motion for an 'interlocutory injunction' by which the intended transfer is shown to violate the inmate's human rights, such as in the case of religious requirements, allergies etc. As he lets Scofield know, courts are required by law to hear the inmate's motion which will take at least thirty days to process. Yet, Kellerman and Hale turn up unannounced in the sanctity of his own home with further threats to unveil the identity of his illegitimate child to his wife and seemingly break Pope's resolve, with him shredding Schofield's plea for a stay on his transfer.
Guest director, Randall Zisk famous for his work on multi-award winning 'Monk', deftly handles the various story threads and ensures the pace of development is brisk. No more so than on the tensions surrounding the escape route Scofield has plotted. Whilst Abruzzi stages an attack on a prison guard to obtain a copy of the keys, Scofield conducts his first walk through the hidden walk-spaces behind the escape hatch he has created behind the cell toilet. There is an incredibly tense moment as his movements are nearly detected by the unexpected appearance of a prison workman. In a perfectly executed scene, having achieved being left alone in Pope's office, feigning the need to apply pressure to the drying model of the Taj Mahal, Scofield is able to exit through the other locked door to the office having had the copy of the key delivered by Abruzzi.
The tension surrounding Scofield's failure to appear at roll-call is eventually revealed to be a deliberate ploy. As with the freedom to scale the heights of the prison roof Scofield has the means to time the arrival of the police in response to the call for support in tracing a missing inmate. At this juncture comes the 'big reveal' as to the names incorporated in the episode title. These refer to the three streets giving access to the prison, determining which would thereby facilitate greatest time for the escape to go undetected. It is at this point that we should reflect upon the fact that prison officials were so concerned that Scofield's escape plans could act as being too educational and inspirational that they had this series banned from being screened in thirteen US prisons.
Although Scofield manages to return to the warden's office in the nick of time, Pope makes it clear that he will not trouble them longer stating there has been an error in his submitted paperwork. In a memorable conclusion to the episode, a shackled Scofield is escorted to the prison gates to the accompaniment of Alexi Murdoch's 'Orange Sky', mouthing 'Sorry' to his brother, and with Abruzzi instructing one of his henchmen to contact his wife to tell her to hurriedly pack up and leave. However, in a final act of defiance Pope once again blocks his transfer right at the prison gates in front of the FBI agents parked outside. The episode closes with Pop returning home and saying on the porch he wishes to tell his wife about someone.
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